By Venerable Master Hsing Yun
Founder of Fo Guang Shan
Oh great, compassionate Amitabha Buddha!
In an extremely respectful and sincere state of mind,
Every day I come before you
To chant your name and to pay respect to your golden image;
The ray of light sent from your white curling hair illuminates the whole universe,
Your Dharma-eye is as crystal-clear as the ocean.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to you
For initiating the forty-eight vows to liberate us a long time ago,
And for adorning the Pure Land of the Ultimate Bliss
By wholly completing the way leading to Buddhahood
More than ten kalpas ago.
Where you are,
There are clusters of lotus flowers in the seven-jewel pond,
Soft, pure, and cool water of the eight virtues,
Orderly lined trees and towers,
Frequent mind-soothing and mind-pleasing fragrant breezes,
Dharma-voice and wonderful music floating everywhere,
Exotic flowers and unusual birds preaching the Dharma,
Sufficient clothing and food appearing as one’s heart wishes,
All excellent beings gathering in one place,
And offerings to all Buddhas every daybreak.
Where you are,
Pure Land of the Ultimate Bliss—There is no environmental pollution;
Economics—There is no confiscation of property;
Life—There is no cruelty;
Dealing with people—There is no gossip;
Circle of friends—There is no misunderstanding;
Politics—There is no persecution;
Transportation—There are no troublesome incidents;
Society—There is no distinction in class.
Oh great, compassionate Amitabha Buddha!
I would like to unburden myself to you:
In our impure world,
There is deception and fraud among people,
There are unceasing conflicts among countries.
Our suffering is as deep as the ocean,
Our worries spread like creeping weeds.
Oh great, compassionate Amitabha Buddha!
I pray to you to receive me through your compassionate vows.
In my sleep:
May I see your golden body;
May I travel to and experience your Pure Land;
May I obtain your blessing by the sprinkling of your Dharma-water;
May I obtain the touch and illumination of your light;
May I eliminate past karma;
May I increase good roots;
May I decrease afflictions;
May I enhance the effectiveness of my vow.
I pray to you to liberate and convince me
With your compassionate heart;
When my time in the world has ended,
May I know it beforehand,
And not suffer from physical illness;
May I have no mental delusions
And have clear, correct views.
I pray to you, all Buddhas and bodhisattvas,
To hold the light-emitting golden tower in your hands
To receive and guide all beings;
May all experienced and knowledgeable people
Be joyous and appreciative,
Initiate the bodhi mind, hear the wonderful sound of the Dharma,
And possess “the patience of non-arising of life and dharma”;
May I obtain your blessings,
And come back again with vows to propagate the Dharma and benefit all beings;
May all sentient beings be reborn in the Pure Land of the West,
And never regress.
Oh great, compassionate Amitabha Buddha,
Please accept my sincerest prayer!
Oh great, compassionate Amitabha Buddha,
Please accept my sincerest prayer!
(Excerpted from “A Prayer to Amitabha Buddha 向阿彌陀佛祈願文)” from Pearls of Wisdom: Prayers for Engaged Living by Ven. Master Hsing Yun)